Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-08-06

Mr.. Brown went down stairs cautious
~, as though he did not want to meet
anyone by the way, and was quickly in
the street.
There goes your father" said Mrs.
Brown as she heard the click of the
lock. ut is too bad that you couldn't
go tonight, but did want to teach
your father lesson"
Mother ~ exclaimed Caloline a mo-
( ment later. IL have scheme. Why
couldn't you and | get ready and go
I now?"
And let Dan'l have the laugh on
usr'
Father needn't know word about
it; we could easily get back before he
comes home. he is never back from
meetings before eleven"
"Well-''hesitated Mrs. Brown, Il
don't care much about going myself,
but / should like to have you 90 Caro-
line. Well-go and get ready, and
we'll 90. Well have to come back
early, though;.I wouldn't have Dan'l
know we had gone for the world! We
won't have James take us; he might
say something about it to your father
in the morning"
Nov you be sure and don't let the
cat out of the bag, Caroline" Mrs.
Brown was saying, while she and her
daughter were making their way
through the crowd of street boys and
housemaids that chOked the entrance
to the canvas paSSageway and hung on
the iron pickets of the fence. drinking
in the colored lanterns and the gay
groups on the lawn. The reception
was at its zenith when the Browns ar
rived. Mrs. Black was so glad Mrs.
Brown had cOme-had almost given up
seeing her-and dear Caroline too
How good of them 10 come
Everyone was there, and often and
often during the evening had Mrs.
Brown occasion TO congratulate herself
that she and Caroline had not missed
this, the SWEETEST event of the season.
Mrs. Browns enjoyment would have
been without n flaw had there not been
the slightest possible pricking at her
conscience, when she thought of Dan
at the lodge. but more than once had
she to still the lusty little monitor with
at was his own fault: he shouldn't
have driven me to it," Let us hope
that the nagging little voice was
sileuced before long. for Mrs. Brown
pleasure was to be short, at best.
1t was toward the latter part of the
evening that Miss Caroline had come
TO stand beside her mother to listen tC
Sgnor TOrano's performance on the
piano. Her eyes were fixed on the fat
hands of the swarthy little Italian a:
they jumbled their way up the kew.
board sounding forth tremendous crash,
es of music. and then gingerly picked
their way back again, producing IN
infinite variety of little trllls anC
quavers most delightful 10 hear. Mrs
Browns ears drank in the melody, bu
her eyes wandered over the guests. nov
alighting on Mrs. Appleton Fiske',
tram. now on Mrs Amory's solitaires
and then on
Caroline" gasped Mrs. Brown in
her daughters ear. lit isn't possible
that that's your father over therer'
"Why, that's only Mr. Hackett,
answered the startled Caroline. 'Hov
you frightened met
Not there" said Mrs. Brown
sharply; ''over there talking with Mr.
Sampson. do believe, Caroline, that
your father. Just as sure rs | StanC
here!' There was but moment of If
resolution. 1--WE must get away a
once and not let him see u.s." Mrs
Browns anger was so great that Their
were tears of veXation in her eyes a
she murmured, 80 Caroline, | neve
thought this of your father" Unfor
tunately Mrs. Lane came up TO them
checking the retreat.
Meanwhile what of that double-dye,
sinner Mr.. Brown. AS we have seen
he had dwelt on the pleasures of tn
reception until the temptat on had be
come too strong. 'Confound il, if sh
'front.' 90, that's no reason why
shouldn't, had been the argument tina
had smoothed his path to the Blacks
and he was enjoying to the full hi
stolen fruit.
But his joy was not invulnerabl
against fate. While Signor Toran
was charming Caroline and the othe
guests with his artistic performance
Mr. Brown had shown his indifference
to music by taking position in a di:
,, tant room, with his back to the Signol
, and talking stocks to Mr.. Sampson.
81 see your wife has returned frol
, her trip" observed Mr.. Sampson /;
last.
.'Oh yes, 3 week ago." Mr.. Brow
, answered all unsuspec;ing of the revt
: lation that was about to be made.
; Your daughter is growing remark
ably pretty, Brown, she looks almo!
as tall as her mother as they stan
, there together by the piano."
I Had bOmbshell burst in his poke
Mr.. Brown could not have been mol
, startled. He cast one fearful glanC
: behind him, and comprehended h
Q predicament
| whats the matter, Brown" aske
!. Mr.. Sampson.
T .'Oh nOthing-nothing at ala ne
> vous headache, believe. I've been
little overworked of late. Excuse m,
B. Sampson, there goes Hollins, want I
n see him about something particular,
and Mr.. Brown was speedily lost in ii
!: throng.
$ OF course he must get home befol
: his wife, Mr. Brown told himself. III
y d iliculty was to get his coat and ha
n for in order to reach the stairca
which lead to the dress ng-room
@ would be necessary to pass within
few feet of Caroline and her mothe
h There. they had turned their backs
!. him. He thought he would risk